Inter and Barcelona Step Up João Cancelo Pursuit as Exit From Al‑Hilal Nears

Overview

• Inter and Barcelona have both spoken with João Cancelo’s camp in the past day, and he is set to leave Al‑Hilal in January, according to Fabrizio Romano.
• Inter are moving to address a wingback shortage with Denzel Dumfries out until March and Luis Henrique underperforming, making Cancelo a priority target.
• Inter cannot meet Al‑Hilal’s valuation or the defender’s reported €15.5 million net salary, so a loan with an option to buy and a pay cut are viewed as the workable path.
• Barcelona lodged an enquiry through Jorge Mendes and are weighing a right‑back move that could let Jules Koundé and Eric García focus centrally after Andreas Christensen’s injury.
• Mendes has offered Cancelo to several Serie A clubs as the 31‑year‑old pushes to return to Europe after falling out of favor in Riyadh.